Phosphine

Last updated: March 19, 2023

Phosphine is an inorganic compound with formula PH₃.

Table of contents

Names

List of substance names

Nomenclature

Name

Typical name: Phosphine

Compositional nomenclature: Hydrogen phosphide; Trihydrogen phosphide; Phosphorus hydride; Phosphorus trihydride

Substitutive nomenclature: Phosphane

Additive nomenclature: Trihydridophosphorus

Hydrogen nomenclature: Trihydrogen(phosphide)

IUPAC acceptable common names: Phosphine

Formulae and structures

List of formulae

Formula name

Formula

Typical formula: PH₃

Molecular formula: PH₃

Compositional formula: PH₃

Structural formula

Structural formula with no lone pair

Lewis structure

Colored Lewis structure

Properties

List of substance properties

Item

Value

Name: Phosphine

Formula: PH₃

Appearance: Colorless gas

Odor: Decaying fish, garlic odor

Molar mass: 33.998 g/mol

Density: 1.529 g/L^[1]
Gas; 1.390 g/cm³^[2]
Gas, 25°C

Melting point: −133.81 °C^[1]; 133.8 °C^[2]

Boiling point: −87.78 °C^[1]; −87.75 °C^[2]

Constituents

Constituent atoms

Atom	Name	Oxidation state	Number
P	Phosphorus	−3	1
H	Hydrogen	+1	3

Ratio of atoms

Atom	Atomic weight	Number	Atomic ratio	Weight ratio
P	30.974	1	25.00%	91.11%
H	1.008	3	75.00%	8.89%

Thermodynamic properties

Phase transition properties

Item

Value

Enthalpy of fusion: 1.130 kJ · mol⁻¹^[1]
at −133.81°C

Enthalpy of vaporization: 14.60 kJ · mol⁻¹^[1]
at −87.78°C; 14.6 kJ · mol⁻¹^[2]
at -87.75°C

Enthalpy of vaporization at 25°C: –

Enthalpy of other transition: –

Standard thermodynamic properties

State	Standard enthalpy of formation Δ_fH° kJ · mol⁻¹	Standard Gibbs energy of formation Δ_fG° kJ · mol⁻¹	Standard molar entropy S° J · K⁻¹ · mol⁻¹	Standard molar heat capacity at constant pressure C_p° J · K⁻¹ · mol⁻¹
Gas	5.4^[3]	13.4^[3]	210.23^[3]	37.11^[3]
Un−ionized aqueous solution	−9.50^[3]	25.36^[3]	120.1^[3]	–

Solubility

Qualitative solubility

Reactive

Miscible

Very soluble: CS₂Carbon disulfide

Soluble: C₆H₆Benzene
CH₃COOHAcetic acid
C₂H₅OH^[1]Ethanol
C₂H₅OC₂H₅^[1]Diethyl ether

Slightly soluble: H₂OWater

Very slightly soluble

Insoluble

Solubility in carbon disulfide (mL/100 mL)^[1]

17°C
1025

Solubility in benzene (mL/100 mL)^[1]

17°C
726

Solubility in acetic acid (mL/100 mL)^[1]

17°C
319

Solubility in water (mL/100 mL)^[1]

17°C
26

Solubility curve (mL/100 mL)

Hazards

GHS label^[4]

Item

Value

Hazard pictograms: GHS02: Flame; GHS04: Gas cylinder; GHS06: Skull and crossbones; GHS08: Health hazard

Signal word: Danger

Hazard statements: H220: Extremely flammable gas; H280: Contains gas under pressure may explode if heated; H330: Fatal if inhaled; H370: Causes damage to organs; H370: Causes damage to nervous system; H370: Causes damage to respiratory system; H370: Causes damage to liver; H370: Causes damage to gastrointestinal tract; H370: Causes damage to cardiovascular system

Physical hazards^[4]

Classification	Category	Label	Hazard statement
Explosives	Not applicable
Flammable gases	Category 1A flammable gas	Danger	H220: Extremely flammable gas
Aerosols	Not applicable
Oxidizing gases	Not classified
Gases under pressure	Compressed gas	Warning	H280: Contains gas under pressure may explode if heated
Gases under pressure	Liquefied gas	Warning	H280: Contains gas under pressure may explode if heated
Flammable liquids	Not applicable
Flammable solids	Not applicable
Self reactive substances and mixtures	Not applicable
Pyrophoric liquids	Not applicable
Pyrophoric solids	Not applicable
Self heating substances and mixtures	Not applicable
Substances and mixtures which in contact with water emit flammable gases	Not applicable
Oxidizing liquids	Not applicable
Oxidizing solids	Not applicable
Organic peroxides	Not applicable
Substances and mixtures corrosive to metals	Not classified
Desensitized explosives	No data

Health hazards^[4]

Classification	Category	Label	Hazard statement
Acute oral toxicity	Not applicable
Acute dermal toxicity	Not applicable
Acute inhalation toxicity by gas	Category 1	Danger	H330: Fatal if inhaled
Acute inhalation toxicity by vapor	Not applicable
Acute inhalation toxicity by dust or mist	Not applicable
Skin corrosion irritation	Classification not possible
Serious eye damage eye irritation	Classification not possible
Respiratory sensitization	Classification not possible
Skin sensitization	Classification not possible
Germ cell mutagenicity	Not classified
Carcinogenicity	Not classified
Reproductive toxicity	Not classified
Specific target organ toxicity single exposure	Category 1 (Nervous system, Respiratory system, Liver, Gastrointestinal tract, Cardiovascular system)	Danger	H370: Causes damage to organs H370: Causes damage to nervous system H370: Causes damage to respiratory system H370: Causes damage to liver H370: Causes damage to gastrointestinal tract H370: Causes damage to cardiovascular system
Specific target organ toxicity repeated exposure	Not classified
Aspiration hazard	Not applicable

Environmental hazards^[4]

Classification	Category	Label	Hazard statement
Hazardous to the aquatic environment short term	Classification not possible
Hazardous to the aquatic environment long term	Classification not possible
Hazardous to the ozone layer	No data

Preparations

Reaction of nonmetal and nonmetal

The reaction of hydrogen and phosphorus yields phosphine.

Reaction of hydrogen and phosphorus ◆ Δ_rG 26.8 kJ/mol K 0.20 × 10⁻⁴ pK 4.70: 3H₂Hydrogen + 2PPhosphorus
🔥
⟶
2PH₃Phosphine

Hydrolysis

The reaction of zinc phosphide and water yields zinc hydroxide and phosphine.

Hydrolysis of zinc phosphide: Zn₃P₂Zinc phosphide + 6H₂OWater
⟶
3Zn(OH)₂Zinc hydroxide + 2PH₃↑Phosphine

Reaction of nonmetal and water

The reaction of phosphorus and water yields phosphoric acid and phosphine.

Reaction of phosphorus and water ◆ Δ_rG −444.8 kJ/mol K 8.43 × 10⁷⁷ pK −77.93: 8PPhosphorus + 12H₂OWater
⟶
3H₃PO₄Phosphoric acid + 5PH₃↑Phosphine

Reaction of nonmetal and hydroxide base

The reaction of nonmetal and hydroxide base can yield phosphine.

Reaction of phosphorus and aluminium hydroxide ◆ Δ_rG 161 kJ/mol K 0.62 × 10⁻²⁸ pK 28.21: 8PPhosphorus + 5Al(OH)₃Aluminium hydroxide
🔥
⟶
3AlPO₄Aluminium phosphate + 5PH₃↑Phosphine + Al₂O₃Aluminium oxide

Reaction of phosphorus and iron(III) hydroxide: 8PPhosphorus + 5Fe(OH)₃Iron(III) hydroxide
⟶
3FePO₄Iron(III) phosphate + 5PH₃↑Phosphine + Fe₂O₃Iron(III) oxide

Reaction of phosphorus and sodium hydroxide ◆ Δ_rG −733.4 kJ/mol K 3.06 × 10¹²⁸ pK −128.49: 8PPhosphorus + 15NaOHSodium hydroxide
⟶
3Na₃PO₄Sodium phosphate + 5PH₃↑Phosphine + 3Na₂OSodium oxide

Reaction of phosphorus and potassium hydroxide ◆ Δ_rG 102.1 kJ/mol K 0.13 × 10⁻¹⁷ pK 17.89: 8PPhosphorus + 15KOHPotassium hydroxide
🔥
⟶
3K₃PO₄Potassium phosphate + 5PH₃↑Phosphine + 3K₂OPotassium oxide

Reaction of phosphorus and lithium hydroxide: 8PPhosphorus + 15LiOHLithium hydroxide
⟶
3Li₃PO₄Lithium phosphate + 5PH₃↑Phosphine + 3Li₂OLithium oxide

Reaction of nonmetal, base, and water

The reaction of nonmetal, base, and water can yield phosphine.

Reaction of phosphorus, sodium hydroxide, and water ◆ Δ_rG −1172.6 kJ/mol K 2.70 × 10²⁰⁵ pK −205.43: 8PPhosphorus + 9NaOHSodium hydroxide + 3H₂OWater
⟶
3Na₃PO₄Sodium phosphate + 5PH₃↑Phosphine

Reaction of phosphorus, aluminium hydroxide, and water ◆ Δ_rG −157 kJ/mol K 3.20 × 10²⁷ pK −27.51: 8PPhosphorus + 3Al(OH)₃Aluminium hydroxide + 3H₂OWater
⟶
3AlPO₄Aluminium phosphate + 5PH₃↑Phosphine

Reaction of phosphorus, potassium hydroxide, and water ◆ Δ_rG −863.2 kJ/mol K 1.68 × 10¹⁵¹ pK −151.23: 8PPhosphorus + 9KOHPotassium hydroxide + 3H₂OWater
⟶
3K₃PO₄Potassium phosphate + 5PH₃↑Phosphine

Reaction of phosphorus, iron(III) hydroxide, and water: 8PPhosphorus + 3Fe(OH)₃Iron(III) hydroxide + 3H₂OWater
⟶
3FePO₄Iron(III) phosphate + 5PH₃↑Phosphine

Reaction of phosphorus, lithium hydroxide, and water: 8PPhosphorus + 9LiOHLithium hydroxide + 3H₂OWater
⟶
3Li₃PO₄Lithium phosphate + 5PH₃↑Phosphine

Decomposition

Decomposition of thermally decomposable substance can yield phosphine.

Decomposition of ammonium phosphate: 4(NH₄)₃PO₄Ammonium phosphate
🔥
⟶
12NH₂OHHydroxylamine + 3PH₃↑Phosphine + H₃PO₄Phosphoric acid

Decomposition of phosphoric acid ◆ Δ_rG 1132.5 kJ/mol K 0.39 × 10⁻¹⁹⁸ pK 198.41: H₃PO₄Phosphoric acid
🔥
⟶
PH₃↑Phosphine + 2O₂↑Oxygen

Decomposition of ammonium phosphate ◆ Δ_rG 1220.7 kJ/mol K 0.14 × 10⁻²¹³ pK 213.86: (NH₄)₃PO₄Ammonium phosphate
🔥
⟶
3NH₃↑Ammonia + PH₃↑Phosphine + 2O₂↑Oxygen

Decomposition of phosphoric acid ◆ Δ_rG 4050.3 kJ/mol K 0.26 × 10⁻⁷⁰⁹ pK 709.58: 3H₃PO₄Phosphoric acid
🔥
⟶
3PH₃↑Phosphine + 4O₃↑Ozone

Chemical reactions

Reaction with oxidizing species

The reaction of phosphine and oxidizing species yields a variety of products.

Reaction of phosphine and oxygen ◆ Δ_rG −1132.5 kJ/mol K 2.54 × 10¹⁹⁸ pK −198.41: PH₃Phosphine + 2O₂Oxygen
⟶
H₃PO₄Phosphoric acid

Reaction of phosphine and oxygen ◆ Δ_rG −1476.4 kJ/mol K 4.51 × 10²⁵⁸ pK −258.65: 4PH₃Phosphine + 3O₂Oxygen
⟶
4PPhosphorus + 6H₂OWater

Reaction of phosphine and chlorine ◆ Δ_rG −598.6 kJ/mol K 7.42 × 10¹⁰⁴ pK −104.87: 2PH₃Phosphine + 3Cl₂Chlorine
⟶
2PPhosphorus + 6HClHydrogen chloride

Reaction of phosphine and nitric acid ◆ Δ_rG −328.7 kJ/mol K 3.85 × 10⁵⁷ pK −57.59: PH₃Phosphine + 3HNO₃Nitric acid
⟶
PPhosphorus + 3NO₂Nitrogen dioxide + 3H₂OWater

Reaction of phosphine and nitric acid ◆ Δ_rG −320.4 kJ/mol K 1.35 × 10⁵⁶ pK −56.13: PH₃Phosphine + HNO₃Nitric acid
⟶
PPhosphorus + NONitrogen monoxide + 2H₂OWater

Reaction with reducible species

The reaction of phosphine and reducible species yields a variety of products.

Reaction of phosphine and iodine ◆ Δ_rG −16.6 kJ/mol K 8.09 × 10² pK −2.91: 2PH₃Phosphine + 3I₂Iodine
⟶
2PPhosphorus + 6HIHydrogen iodide

Reaction of phosphine and manganese(IV) oxide ◆ Δ_rG −202.2 kJ/mol K 2.65 × 10³⁵ pK −35.42: PH₃Phosphine + 2MnO₂Manganese(IV) oxide
⟶
H₃PO₄Phosphoric acid + 2MnManganese

Reaction of phosphine and manganese(IV) oxide ◆ Δ_rG −81.0 kJ/mol K 1.55 × 10¹⁴ pK −14.19: 4PH₃Phosphine + 3MnO₂Manganese(IV) oxide
⟶
4PPhosphorus + 3MnManganese + 6H₂OWater

Reaction of phosphine and iron(III) oxide ◆ Δ_rG 4.0 kJ/mol K 0.20 × 10⁰ pK 0.70: 2PH₃Phosphine + Fe₂O₃Iron(III) oxide
🔥
⟶
2PPhosphorus + 2FeIron + 3H₂OWater

Reaction of phosphine and iron(III) oxide ◆ Δ_rG −150.8 kJ/mol K 2.62 × 10²⁶ pK −26.42: 2PH₃Phosphine + 9Fe₂O₃Iron(III) oxide
⟶
2PPhosphorus + 6Fe₃O₄Iron(II,III) oxide + 3H₂OWater

Reaction with hardly reducible species

The reaction of phosphine and hardly reducible species yields a variety of products.

Reaction of phosphine and manganese(II) oxide ◆ Δ_rG 350.5 kJ/mol K 0.39 × 10⁻⁶¹ pK 61.40: 2PH₃Phosphine + 3MnOManganese(II) oxide
🔥
⟶
2PPhosphorus + 3MnManganese + 3H₂OWater

Reaction of phosphine and manganese(II) oxide ◆ Δ_rG 305.6 kJ/mol K 0.29 × 10⁻⁵³ pK 53.54: 2PH₃Phosphine + 6MnOManganese(II) oxide
🔥
⟶
2PPhosphorus + 3MnManganese + 3Mn(OH)₂Manganese(II) hydroxide

References

List of references

1
James G. Speight (2017)
Lange's Handbook of Chemistry, 17th edition
https://www.accessengineeringlibrary.com/content/book/9781259586095
McGraw Hill Education
- Amazon
Citation list
- ^ Density, 1.529 g/L - p.56
- ^ Melting point, −133.81 °C - p.56
- ^ Boiling point, −87.78 °C - p.56
- ^ Enthalpy of fusion, 1.130 kJ · mol⁻¹ - p.307
- ^ Enthalpy of vaporization, 14.60 kJ · mol⁻¹ - p.307
- ^ Qualitative solubility, Soluble in ethanol - p.56
- ^ Qualitative solubility, Soluble in diethyl ether - p.56
- ^ Solubility in Carbon disulfide (mL/100 mL), See the table - p.56
- ^ Solubility in Benzene (mL/100 mL), See the table - p.56
- ^ Solubility in Acetic acid (mL/100 mL), See the table - p.56
- ^ Solubility in Water (mL/100 mL), See the table - p.56
2
John R. Rumble Jr, David R. Lide, Thomas J. Bruno (2019)
CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics 100th Edition
https://www.routledge.com/CRC-Handbook-of-Chemistry-and-Physics/book-series/CRCHANCHEPHY
CRC Press
- Amazon
Citation list
- ^ Density, 1.390 g/cm³ - p.4-47
- ^ Melting point, 133.8 °C - p.4-47
- ^ Boiling point, −87.75 °C - p.4-47
- ^ Enthalpy of vaporization, 14.6 kJ · mol⁻¹ - p.6-149
3
Janiel J. Reed (1989)
The NBS Tables of Chemical Thermodynamic Properties: Selected Values for Inorganic and C1 and C2 Organic Substances in SI Units
https://doi.org/10.18434/M32124
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
Citation list
4
Chemical Management Center
GHS Classification Results
https://www.nite.go.jp/chem/english/ghs/all_fy_e.html
National Institute of Technology and Evaluation
Citation list

Δ_rG	26.8 kJ/mol
K	0.20 × 10⁻⁴
pK	4.70

Δ_rG	−444.8 kJ/mol
K	8.43 × 10⁷⁷
pK	−77.93

Δ_rG	161 kJ/mol
K	0.62 × 10⁻²⁸
pK	28.21

Δ_rG	−733.4 kJ/mol
K	3.06 × 10¹²⁸
pK	−128.49

Phosphine

Names

List of substance names

Formulae and structures

List of formulae

Properties

List of substance properties

Constituents

Constituent atoms

Ratio of atoms

Thermodynamic properties

Phase transition properties

Standard thermodynamic properties

Solubility

Qualitative solubility

Solubility in carbon disulfide (mL/100 mL)[1]

Solubility in benzene (mL/100 mL)[1]

Solubility in acetic acid (mL/100 mL)[1]

Solubility in water (mL/100 mL)[1]

Solubility curve (mL/100 mL)

Hazards

GHS label[4]

Physical hazards[4]

Health hazards[4]

Environmental hazards[4]

Preparations

Reaction of nonmetal and nonmetal

Hydrolysis

Reaction of nonmetal and water

Reaction of nonmetal and hydroxide base

Reaction of nonmetal, base, and water

Decomposition

Chemical reactions

Reaction with oxidizing species

Reaction with reducible species

Reaction with hardly reducible species

References

List of references

Related substances

Pnictogen hydride

Phosphide

Related categories

Solubility in carbon disulfide (mL/100 mL)^[1]

Solubility in benzene (mL/100 mL)^[1]

Solubility in acetic acid (mL/100 mL)^[1]

Solubility in water (mL/100 mL)^[1]

GHS label^[4]

Physical hazards^[4]

Health hazards^[4]

Environmental hazards^[4]